Wagon-axle



(No Model.)

WJJVESSES J. P. STEVENS.. WAGON AXLB.

* Patented' Mar. 18, 1890.

N, PETERS, Phourmhnpapnm. wuhingtm' D a IOA UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES F. STEVENS, OF FREEPORT, NEV YORK.

WAGON-AXLE..y

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 423,831, dated March 18, 1890.

`Application filed November 15, 1889. Serial No.330,44.l. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES F. STEVENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Freeport, Long Island, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Wagon- Axles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. v

This invention relates to the attachment of Wagon-springs to axles; and its object is to so shape or construct the axle as to form a base for attaching springs at a considerable distance to the rear or in front of the central line of the axle.

To this end my invention consists in the construction of a wagon-axle, as hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure I is a view looking` down upon a wagon-axle made according to my invention, also showing portions of attached gear. Fig. II is a side view of the same, looking toward the end of the axle. ing down upon a portion of an axle, showing a modification of my invention. Fig. IV is a side view of the parts shown in Fig. III. Figs. V and VI show modifications of the same.

6 represent-s the central portion of the axle.

7 represents the arms of the axle extending horizontally, either forward or backward, from the center line, and 8 is the midway portion of the axle connecting the ends of arms 7 like a crank. Side springs 9 may be hung in ears ll beneath the arms 7 when it is desirable to hang the Wagon-body low; or the ears 1l may be placed on top of the arms 7 when. a carriage-body is to be set high. Then cross-springs are used, they may be hung, as at 12, between ears 13, projectinginward from the arms 7.

14 represents the usual reach attached'to the center of the axle.

By this method of hanging springs to the axle the constant hammering and sudden jolts to which the wheels are exposed are not transmitted directly to the springsVas they would be where the springs rest directly upon the center line of the axle, because when there is a load supported upon the ends of the arms 7 the axle will rise a considerable Fig. III is a view look- Y distance before the arms acting as levers will be raised. kThus a large portion of all jars and jolts is expended even before reaching the springs, leaving much less duty for the springs to perform and carrying the Wagon with smoothness and ease. It is evident that the same effect might be lproduced by Welding or rigidly bolting arms 7 upon the axle to become a rigid part thereof, as shown in Figs. III and IV, the axle to bein any usual form in other respects; butit must be understood that any kind cfa rigid bar or arm extending both ways from the axle and having attachments at both ends-connected with the wagon is not claimed herein; nor do I claim a mere axle-clip having a hanging bolt for a spring at the short distance of two or three inches from the axle. My axle-arm is sufficiently long to produce a material rock tothe axle whenever the wheel suddenly meets an obstacle. With the usual resistance of the reach such a result could not be produced either by the said bar extending both ways or by the clip mentioned.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I believe to be new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is the following:

l. The combination of a wagon-axle having arms extending horizontally to one side, and side springs extending longitudinally. of the wagon past the said axle and hung at the end of said arms, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination of a wagon-axle having a horizontal crank-shaped offset forming horizontal arms at one side of the axle, and side springs extending longitudinally of the wagon past the center of the said axle and hung at the end of the said arms, substantially as shown and described.

The combination of a wagon-axle having arms extending horizontally to one side, side springs hung at the end of said arms, and a cross-spring hung by its ends to the said arms at points nearer to the line of the axle than the points of attachment of the side springs, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' JAMES F. STEVENS.

Witnesses GEORGE W. PEAsELL, GEORGE KINsEY. 

